Types of and Causes of Cerebral Palsy
October 30, 2009
Cerebral palsy is a condition of the brain that pertains to lack of muscle control. It is a weakness, which requires repair of the brain cells. One cause of cerebral palsy is the injury that may have happened to the child’s brain during pregnancy.
Some of the risks of having cerebral palsy in a baby include exposure to sexually transmitted disease like herpes, group B viruses and urinary tract infection. However, a good pre-natal care may reduce the risk of the unborn baby’s having cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy also happens when a baby acquires lead poisoning, head injuries or viral infections. When this happens, the child will be exposed to a long-lasting condition, but not progressing from simple to worst. It is a chronic condition, which causes delay in the child’s mental development.
There are various types of cerebral palsy. These are athetoid, spastic, ataxic.
Athetoid cerebral palsy generates involuntary muscle movements in the child. Spastic cerebral palsy patients have tense, and contracted muscles. Ataxic cerebral palsy patients tend to be very shaky and unstable.
Early signs of cerebral palsy include difficulties in breathing, eating, and urinating and bowel control. Disabilities in learning are also symptoms that lead to the condition. Absence or lack of control of the arms and stiffness of joint, and difficulty in speech and mastication are some of the common symptoms of cerebral palsy. The sad thing about cerebral palsy is that, it is a permanent condition. The good thing, however, is that a person can learn and practice control over movement and improvement in motor skills.
Several types of treatment are available for patients with cerebral palsy. Experts in the field should handle and manage the treatment, since this is a very delicate condition. Counseling and behavior therapy can be administered, besides physical, speech and occupational therapy. Drug therapy helps to decrease the possibility of complications.
With the right treatment and with the acceptance of the family, people who have cerebral palsy can still live normal, productive lives. The key to this is the family’s support and love, showered with patience and understanding of their situation.
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